Discussions related to making saws Sun, 10 May 2026 04:39:10 +0000 Sun, 10 May 2026 04:39:10 +0000 backsaw.net http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?forums/saw-makers-forum.10/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:07:58 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/mike-wenzloff-the-rest-of-the-story.1282/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/mike-wenzloff-the-rest-of-the-story.1282/ invalid@example.com (TraditionalToolworks) TraditionalToolworks
Mike taught me quite a bit about making handsaws, some of his techniques I copied, some I created my own solutions, but I would say Mike was a very clever craftsman. He had exotic wood stashed all over his house,...

Mike Wenzloff...the rest of the story...]]> Sat, 21 Dec 2024 21:20:14 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/the-saw-vise-thread.184/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/the-saw-vise-thread.184/ invalid@example.com (pedder) pedder
I have actually three saw vises:

an old ulmia, wich are not longer made. A really good saw vise wich holds the blade tight but is a little short for tenon saws and not deep enough for hand saws:



I always found her to short and was happy when Joel from TFWW...

The saw vise thread]]> 27 Sun, 12 May 2024 22:29:15 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/bad-axe-introduce-modernised-seymour-smith-hammer-punch-saw-set.1266/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/bad-axe-introduce-modernised-seymour-smith-hammer-punch-saw-set.1266/ invalid@example.com (shoarthing) shoarthing View attachment 6585 https://badaxetoolworks.com/collections/tools-and-accessories/products/bad-axe-saw-set

. . . appears to be usefully focused on backsaw-size tooth-pitches ie 10-20 ppi.]]> 8 Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:58:13 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/saw-back-types-what-else-have-we-come-up-with-besides-folded-and-slotted.1246/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/saw-back-types-what-else-have-we-come-up-with-besides-folded-and-slotted.1246/ invalid@example.com (Force10Matt) Force10Matt
Saw back types, what else have we come up with besides folded and slotted?]]> 11 Mon, 27 Feb 2023 18:07:47 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/experiences-with-marples-2501-hammer-punch-saw-set.1250/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/experiences-with-marples-2501-hammer-punch-saw-set.1250/ invalid@example.com (shoarthing) shoarthing View attachment 6445
(from 1909 Wm Marples catalogue - this model listed from 1897 to 1928)

. . . . after long searching, have obtained one; in contrast to #2500 (imported US "Seymour Smith") or #2502 (clearly a Preston 1460) . . . has anyone had a good play with a #2501, or restored one? Curious what thread is used (Whitworth?) since the original leaf-spring on my 'barn-find' replaced with a coil, & tool-rest simply absent.]]> 11 Thu, 08 Dec 2022 06:30:57 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/corby-bolts.1248/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/corby-bolts.1248/ invalid@example.com (TraditionalToolworks) TraditionalToolworks
One thing that made me think that way is the Corby bolts. The Corby bolts are a takeoff on the Loveless pins, which are a stainless sleeve with a screw. Both of these designs were intended to allow snug up when assembled with epoxy, to hold it together, but after it dries the ends are...

Corby Bolts]]> 2 Fri, 04 Nov 2022 20:22:42 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/looking-for-an-acme-saw-filer.1083/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/looking-for-an-acme-saw-filer.1083/ invalid@example.com (bearkatwood) bearkatwood 13 Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:21:12 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/sleeving-saw-screws.1245/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/sleeving-saw-screws.1245/ invalid@example.com (shoarthing) shoarthing
Many backsaw-rebuilds are less forbidding than they at first appear; a 15 ½" sash-saw made by William Hasler of Old Street, London arrived with a loose saw-plate, distorted back, & with its handle split through both cheeks at the top fastening:

View attachment 6389

Both of the original 9/16" flat saw-screws had been replaced by 9/16" boatbuilders' copper roves each side - fitting well in the...

Sleeving saw-screws:]]> 3 Sat, 09 Jul 2022 19:56:31 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/foley-gauge-help-required.1157/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/foley-gauge-help-required.1157/ invalid@example.com (Dusty Shed Dweller) Dusty Shed Dweller
View attachment 5930]]> 11 Sat, 09 Jul 2022 19:42:53 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/corradi-files-whos-tried-them.1244/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/corradi-files-whos-tried-them.1244/ invalid@example.com (Force10Matt) Force10Matt
Corradi files. Who's tried them?]]> 5 Fri, 15 Apr 2022 14:53:23 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/waterjet-cutting.398/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/waterjet-cutting.398/ invalid@example.com (fred0325) fred0325
I should perhaps stay away from technical matters but I saw an example of waterjet cutting just recently and when I got the chance to talk to the person who had it done, I thought that it may be applicable to cutting teeth on saw blades, or indeed, the blades themselves.

There are two types of cutting as far as I can see, pure water and water plus an abrasive, usually garnet grit. The water + abrasive has a cutting tolerance of about 0.8mm and which is not sufficiently...

Waterjet cutting]]> 4 Sun, 03 Apr 2022 09:32:07 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/new-to-the-group.1237/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/new-to-the-group.1237/ invalid@example.com (NVhunter) NVhunter 1 Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:23:09 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/brass-back-wanted.1184/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/brass-back-wanted.1184/ invalid@example.com (Lingo) Lingo
I am making a dovetail saw for a friend and due to the pandemic saw backs are a little difficult to find. Anyone have one collecting dust on a shelf they might be looking to part with?]]> 1 Sat, 20 Mar 2021 11:10:13 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/saw-making-advice-needed.1176/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/saw-making-advice-needed.1176/ invalid@example.com (Matthew) Matthew
I have bought a few things to make a few saws. I have a retoother with bars up to 16ppi, I have some. 020 spring steel. 6 inch by 25 inches. Plenty of of old/recycled saw screws from old saws.

But I need to buy or make some backs. I do not have a mill but I do have a drill press. I cannot access the link where someone used a drill press to slot backs. Did that work?

I searched and found that Blackburn Tools sells backs. I reached out and I will see what he says. TGIAG and Florip...

Saw making advice needed]]> 9 Wed, 12 Jun 2019 23:55:58 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/looking-for-a-3-4-groves-medallion.1134/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/looking-for-a-3-4-groves-medallion.1134/ invalid@example.com (Kerry) Kerry I'm restoring an open handled, 12 inch groves backsaw, but unfortunately it was missing the 3/4" medallion.

I'm hoping that someone here might have a 3/4" diameter USE or Est. 1770 medallion that they would consider selling and shipping to me in Canada. Finding Groves saws, or any back saw really, can be pretty difficult around here, so I doubt that one will turn up. Of course I realize I can just put a new blank medallion in place, but would much rather see this saw...

Looking for a 3/4 Groves medallion]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:22:58 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/some-comments-on-straightening-saws.1126/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/some-comments-on-straightening-saws.1126/ invalid@example.com (Dusty Shed Dweller) Dusty Shed Dweller
1. The anvil and saws are critical. The anvil should have a 7 thou crown across the top and a tool...

Some comments on straightening saws]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2017 00:09:14 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/blunt-versus-tapered-saw-files.995/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/blunt-versus-tapered-saw-files.995/ invalid@example.com (Dusty Shed Dweller) Dusty Shed Dweller why are saw files tapered, when back in the day one could purchase non-tapered ("blunt") saw files. To my knowledge, nobody makes blunt saw files today. Note; blunt in this context refers to shape, not a lack of sharpness.

Fortunately, Mari, my saw file enabler, procured some boxes of Wiltshire 4-1/2" regular blunt files for my use. To give an idea of their rarity, the boxes are stamped 2 March 1966 on the bottom. Short files like this are a...

Blunt versus Tapered Saw Files]]> 1 Mon, 27 Mar 2017 05:14:48 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/suggestions-for-making-saw-backs-folded-slotted-or-laminated.153/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/suggestions-for-making-saw-backs-folded-slotted-or-laminated.153/ invalid@example.com (Mike Allen) Mike Allen
I have been an avid user of vintage hand saws for many years. I recently made my first attempt at making some backsaws with decidedly mixed results. I will try and post some pictures below.

I'm looking for suggestions about the best way for a home hobbyist (with minimal metalworking skills/tools) to make brass saw backs for dovetail/backsaw? I'm aware of...

Suggestions for making saw backs: folded, slotted or laminated?]]> 11 Sat, 24 Dec 2016 06:24:51 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/files-for-backsaw-toothings.942/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/files-for-backsaw-toothings.942/ invalid@example.com (Dusty Shed Dweller) Dusty Shed Dweller
In the image below the files (from L to R) are a Vallorbe Swiss-made watchmakers escapement file, Vallorbe Swiss-made 10 mm triangular needle, Grobet 4" XX slim (source unknown). For comparative purposes Pferd 5" XS (Germany) and Nicholson 6XX slim (US made and unfortunately extinct) are shown.

I use the Pferd 5" a lot as this is a very versatile size (10-15...

Files for backsaw toothings]]> 1 Wed, 24 Aug 2016 07:43:24 +0000 http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/source-for-saw-files.886/ http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/source-for-saw-files.886/ invalid@example.com (DaveS) DaveS
I sharpen my own saws and other peoples saws (sometimes), and I'm looking for decent saw files. Does anyone have a source for good files?

Thank you in advance,

DS]]> 9